Friday, December 31, 2010

Something that has really got on my nerves lately is all the talk of Ben Bernanke and Central Bankers who don't get it and how Obama doesn't understand basic economics. I totally agree with the likes of Tom Woods and Jim Rodgers who believe our current situation is not sustainable. I also believe the Federal Reserve only compounds the problems. The part I take issue with is that even a Dumb Ass is right once in a while, even if only by accident.

How can the man who runs the Federal Reserve be wrong every time?

How can he make blanket statements like Quantitative Easing will not create inflation?

Who believes that this man or even our president doesn't understand basic economics? Is it not more reasonable that they understand quite well how the system works but they have an agenda in the works that requires the actions being taken. Instead of given these people a free pass by believing they act because they don't understand, why don't we instead start asking, what is it that you're really trying to do?

Thursday, December 16, 2010

More evidence that we now punish the so called "middle class" for working hard. A single parent family with 3 children has more actual income than a family making 60K a year.

As the above chart provided by Wyatt Emerich shows, the family making $60,000.00 a year has over $2000 less actual income than someone who makes minimum wage. A large portion of this is due to the Medicaid insurance coverage, which of course a family making 60K is not eligible for. The real kicker is that many of these folks who take advantage of of all these benefits also receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income), which is not included. This also assumes the single family provider is paying child care so they can work full time. If this hypothetical single family parent only works part time or one week a month, while still making minimum wage, the Child care cost is of course eliminated which increases this total even more.

Add to that the possibility of gaming the system by working on the side for cash. And a "poor" family could actually do quite well living off the the redistribution of wealth.

Think about this, as soon you will be hearing much more about how we need to make those rich people pay their fair share.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

I'm not sure how I feel about this. There are a few ways to look at it.

This treaty forces the United States to reduce unilaterally forces such as missiles, bombers and warheads, in order to meet treaty limits. The Russians however will actually be allowed to increase their deployed forces because they currently fall below the limits set by the treaty. One troubling point is that most of the talks on this treaty have completely ignored the implications of China who has recently been spending alot of time and money on upgrading it's own nuclear capabilities.

Some believe that the new Senate Republicans will carry out their threat to block and kill the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. They also believe that our ability to conduct foreign policy effectively throughout the world will be significantly weakened when this happens. They will also tell you that the treaty’s failure will harm our relationships with Russia and undermine cooperation on Iran securing nuclear materials while making it more difficult for all foreign governments to take political risks in negotiating future agreements with the United States.

On the other hand, many folks agree that Barack Obama's pledge to seek “the peace of a world without nuclear weapons”, was a really good thing. The new treaty would reduce the number of each countries nukes to 1,550 warheads from the 2,200-weapon limit set under the 2002 Moscow Treaty. The agreement also cuts by half the missiles and bombers that are capable of carrying and deploying the weapons.

Another thing to consider is that the new treaty applies only to deployed weapons. The U.S. and Russia still maintain a combined stockpile of over 20,000 nuclear warheads which account for about 90 percent of the world’s nuclear stockpile. This number is still massive but far lower than the peaks once seen by the two nations. Have no fear we are still able to destroy the world many times over at a moments notice.

These weapons have kept the world mostly at peace, at least from nuclear war but they have a cost as well. Some reports show that we spend over 50 billion dollars a year on maintaining our arsenal which has not been used since 1945. This is an extremely high cost to maintain a pissing contest.

In summary I believe we need to maintain a strong military force but I can't help but wonder if maybe our nuclear arsenal isn't a sinkhole being used to throw cash into. Think about this, we have had as many as 33,000 nuclear warheads, has anyone ever seen all of them? Currently, supposedly, we have less than half this number now, do we really need that many? Does it really keep us more safe having the capability to destroy every piece of soil on the planet 10 times over? Would we be less safe is we only had a few hundred warheads?

Thursday, December 9, 2010

The War is scheduled with the final battle being November of 2012. President Obama and his Democrat party have gotten their wish, they will now be able to run on all out class warfare in 2012. The Current tax rates (Being called the Bush tax Cuts) have been extended to 2012. This means that the same issue will come up again 2011/2012 and our President has already made it clear that he will fight to make the tax rates permanent for 98% of Americans while attempting to hit the top 2% with much higher tax rates.

This is exactly where Class Warfare starts to get ugly, especially when you already have a progressive tax system where the wealthy pay over 50% of the national income tax base and the bottom 20% pay little or no taxes.

Unless Nancy Pelosi refuses to bring the Tax Cut Compromise to the floor, the deal made between President Obama and Senate Republicans, will pass.The Democrats will run on this and they will run hard, they are hoping to succeed where Walter Mondale failed. The two parties will either be going head to head on this or the Democrats will attempt to reel in as many Centrist Republicans as they can to go along with the ruse that is Wealth Envy.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Despite what you might believe after hearing all the hype from the main stream media, illegal immigration is not just a problem in the U.S. on the Southern Border. Mexico has troops on it's southern border as well keeping out the More Southern South Americans. This despite the fact that the Mexican President, Caldarone sees the need to come here and scold Americans for wanting to keep Mexicans in Mexico.

What you might not have heard is that China also is battling an immigration problem not very different from our own. Chinese Factories are being flooded with workers from all over Asia and even Africa. Chinese Industry leaders claim that these workers are necessary to keep up with expansion since it takes to long to train Chinese workers who come from the country side with little or no skills. Sound familiar? Why is it that we buy most of our goods from other countries but when we try to implement polices like those being used in some of those very same countries, we are looked at as lacking compassion.

This is a sad sad story that simply should not exist. A County sheriff's deputy who was preparing to leave for a tour of duty was fired before he leaves on Monday. Sgt. Michael Russell was told by the sheriff he was exercising his right to dismiss without cause. The federal law says that no employer can dismiss someone because of their military services, but the law in North Carolina says the sheriff isn't require to say why he is terminating, nice right. As if his tour of duty wasn't enough another part of this story is that the officer sold raffle tickets to help raise funds for an opponent of the sheriff in the last election. So if he's not being let go simply for his military service it looks as if he may have been let go due to the political insecurity of the Sheriff. Either way it's a sad situation.

Friday, December 3, 2010

It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate tireless minority keen to set brush fires in peoples minds.

- Samuel Adams

This is great advice but please bear in mind both sides use this strategy, and the left is better at it then we are. Please make sure that the fire in your mind is really only a brush fire and not a raging inferno which is about to consume your life and your liberty. Sometimes the best way to deal with a brush fire is to let it burn itself out while ensuring the farm doesn't go up in flames with it.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Earlier this year I decided to withdraw my support of the NRA and cancel my lifetime membership due to some decisions they have made in recent time. This is not the first time in history that people have lost faith in the NRA. A similar situation happened years ago shortly before Charlton Heston requested admission to the Board of Directors. Heston, albeit it briefly, changed the direction of the NRA. I am not ready to change my opinion yet but this Article from their president Wayne LaPierre does show their over all direction is still good. It's been awhile, reading something from Wayne has left me with a positive feeling on the direction they are moving, but it gives me hope that the future will bring another great leader like Heston that will bring the organization back to honor.

I hope to read more like this in the future and see the NRA rebuild it's once great reputation.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Also known as the "English Rule" to those who wish to make it sound foreign and Un-American. This rule is actually used by most of the world and certainly in every other country that has a legal system that even comes close to ours. This rule makes it so the loser of a law suit must pay the legal expenses for the party they bring the lawsuit against. I know, at first it sounds strange. Did you understand it right? YES, the loser must pay the legal fees not only for their own lawyer but also for the other side.

Brilliant right? I think so. Consider how this would reduce the amount of frivolous lawsuits.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

It was good to see a decent crowd come listen to Austrian Economist Tom Woods on Wednesday Night. We need more people to wake up and learn about the disaster that awaits us if we do not dump the current tax and spend philosophy of folks like Paul Krugman soon. Tom spoke about Meltdown and mentioned his new book soon to be released as well as some entertaining lighthearted humor in his own style about how we are all doomed! J/K, but not really. I only recently learned about Tom Woods and read his book Meltdown, which helped solidify my belief in what's going on in our country as well as helped me realize my past error in having faith in Alan Greenspan. He also gave a brief overview on the basics of Austrian Business Cycle theory and how the boom and bust is not necessary is we allow the economy to simple work it self out as well as the dangers dealing with fiat money. Please check out Tom Woods to learn more.

Click here to learn more about you can help support an event to see Paul Krugman debate the Austrian Economist Robert Murphy.

Friday, November 12, 2010

If this doesn't make you sad to be an American I don't think anything will. A 13 year old boy who flies a U.S. flag on his bicycle was told to remove the flag by a campus supervisor, while he is on school property. To make the wound sting a little worse, they chose Veterans week, right before the November 11th holiday to enforce this new policy.

This morning, the Superintendent, did announce Cody is again free to fly his flag, this is due the immense amount of pressure they received from outraged Citizens. This is one more example of why we must fight tyranny at all levels. If We the People did not call and put the pressure on they would not have overturned this decision.

If you want to share your feelings about this, here is the contact information for his school.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

I'm really confused by the all the mess that this legislation (SB1716) is stirring up. I have always been and will continue to be against "Gay Marriage" based on the belief that Government simply should not be involved in marriage. I have however always been on the side of equal rights for all, this includes gay people. I think "Marriage" should remain as it has always been, a spiritual union. This is a decision that should be made solely between the couple and the religious institution. I have never heard anyone argue that Gay People should not be giving equal rights when it comes to property and decision making.

(I'm sure there are some loons out there but I have not heard them and I'm sure they are not taken very seriously)

That said, this legislation SB1716 seems to me the best of both worlds. It allows for Gays to have the same rights and privileges while also protecting the Church. It makes certain verbal definitions such as "Spouse" to become more regular and understood. This should legally tear down any existing walls that Health Care and Financial institutions have in place that may cause a barrier for same sex couples. This will allow them the ability to function in our society with the same rights and privileges as any other married couple while allowing "Marriage" to remain a Church Sanctioned Union.

Now obviously some churches will choose to "Marry" same sex couples while others will not, but this is a matter Uncle Sam need not be involved in. If you do not believe in this type of union you simply will not attend one of these Churches and those who do may choose to join a different denomination.

Monday, November 8, 2010

The TEA Party Movement might be the last chance for the Republicans to return to honor and hopefully move the Democrat Party back to classical liberalism instead of Socialism or worse.

Many people are quick to attack to the likes of Christine O'Donnell. They will attack her on her past and her faith but they don't seem to attack her on the issues. Why do suppose that is? Some people simply do not understand Christine O'Donnell. I think it's safe to say many of these people do not understand America. Lost are the days where Americans will sit idle and take our leaders word for it when it comes to the direction we must move.

The TEA party is leading that charge, much to the chagrin of the the Republicans as well as the Democrats. Both parties must now re-learn how to deal with an actual authentic grass roots movement. Last Tuesday was only the beginning, our real job began on Wednesday. We must keep our eyes on the ball to ensure the newly elected batch of candidates stay true to their word.

One day soon we might again be able to call the Republicans the "Grand old Party".

Many people are calling for Al Reynolds to step down from the Dist 52 IL Senate Race because they claim his comments were racist. Al Reynolds was simply pointing out that our society has glamorized illegal actives and the Drug Dealing lifestyle more so than working hard to obtain a good education. He could have been more articulate in this message but that is what comes along with being un-seasoned politician who is more a man of the people than a paid public orator.

Does this make Al Reynolds a racist? Where Would Al have gotten this idea?

Just listen to Clipse's "I'm not you"

an authentic portrayal of dealing blow.

"I keep the Ziploc bustin at the stitches"
"From the panel to the dash, its four pounds of slab"
"Rappers is talking to me as if we in the same boat,
I tell them quick no I move Coke."

But surely this is not the norm right? I mean we need to look very hard to find any other sources of such glamorization in the drug trade. Actually you need not look very far at all. Below are only a few examples I found after looking for less than 5 minutes. I did however spend 20 minutes looking for chart topping rap music whose topic was about getting good grades and going to college. I couldn't find one.

So is it only Al Reynolds who feels like the glamorization of this lifestyle is at the root of the problem. Actually No. Here are just a few articles that delve into the idea that this style and culture only perpetuates the problem.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Al Reynolds the IL Senate Dist. 52 Candidate made comments at a Candidate Forum on Wednesday night 10-20-2010, that do not reflect the opinion of the East Central IL TEA Party.

For the record, I do not believe Al Reynolds is a racist. I think his choice of words were poor. His point was relevant if fully understood, which is impossible in a one minute answer to a question that really requires 20 minutes of discussion to fully understand.

The following is his initial Response from Wednesday's nights comments. It's my understanding that he will be releasing an additional statement soon.

“Racial remarks stunned the audience”This headline described my comments at the recent League of Women Voters and NAACP forum. I would like to apologize if my statements offended anyone in the audience and in my community. I realize that my words generalized a small segment of my neighbors and I regret the inferences that it created. That was certainly not my intent. My comments were intended to initiate a conversation which could lead to solutions for not only African-American youth anticipating college, but youth in general. As an elected official it is my intent to build real educational opportunities, for everyone of all races and gender, not just applicants for admission to the University of Illinois.

I have a strong background of involvement in minority communities, and know first hand the challenges many minority youth face. While I was training for the ministry, I served in the trenches working with two low income churches in Los Angeles. I saw first hand the impact that street crime, gangs, and restricted job opportunities had on minority youth.

I have plans to change this, to bring solutions, and I am outraged that I am being labeled a racist. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have dedicated my life to building bridges for all people and to improve the quality of life for all mankind.

I was speaking from my heart, and although in hindsight I would have worded my statement differently, I am, and have always been strongly committed to the American dream for everyone, including African American youth. I remain committed to solutions and will continue working on behalf of all citizens of our district.

As a Navy Corpsman for 20 years, I put my life on the line in service for my country, for everyone in my country, red, yellow, black, or white. I am in this race to create real solutions for Danville, the 52nd District and Illinois and not to shy away or gloss over difficult issues and discussions as we've seen too often from professional politicians. Again I regret if my comments were offensive to anyone as that was not my intent.

Many of you know I have a love hate relationship with NPR, but now they have gone and done it. Firing Juan Williams is just one more example that NPR has no interest in honest reporting of news but rather the force feeding of an agenda. If Juan Williams cannot share his views without fear of being fired who can? Juan Williams is far from a right wing conservative drone. He's a man who has written several books and been on the air a long time. There is plenty of evidence to show Juan Williams is not a black racist, he's not a staunch conservative talking head or person who allows his views to be swayed but an American who shares his opinion on the issues of he day. Sometimes you agree with him others you might not, but you always get the sense of the place he's coming from.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Meghan recently said the same thing of Delaware Senatorial Hopeful Christine O'Donnell. Meghan thinks O'Donnell turns away women like her, women of her generation. Women who have tattoos and love punk rock music while saving the environment over human life. Meghan also thinks that she turns people off because she has no record and no business accomplishments. I don't think Christine O'Donnell is too worried about those women Meghan. Not everyone has a father who's been in Congress for 27 years and a mother who is a beer tycoon. I think America is ready for a few common people to enter the Senate. People who have financial problems and understand what it's like to be broke. So don't worry your pretty little head Meghan, go pop the top off a cold Bud Light and save a few trees why don't you.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

If I'm not already archived at one of our fine Fusion centers this post will certainly get me there.

OK, here is a topic that I find myself seriously conflicted on.The theory that 9-11 was an inside job.

Last month I went through my Facebook friends and removed anyone who was flying that black 9-11 inside job flag. I did this because I have always believed that this theory was ignorant and ridiculous. I am not generally a hard core conspiracy theorist, but some would disagree with me on that. I am however the last person who would say that we can trust our government. I know, I know, I can't trust the government, but I'm willing to dismiss that our wise overlords would do such a thing as fake a terrorist attack.

(who knows where thoughts come from, they just appear)

I liken this to the child who first comes to the realization that Santa Claus is not a real person, but a myth or legend. They have become intelligent enough to know that a fat man who fly's around on a sleigh powered my magical reindeer is probably not real, but with this intelligence comes the nagging fear, that they may be wrong.... What happens to Christmas with no Santa? Will there still be toys on Christmas morning? Will there still be family fun or Mid-night mass?

( I apologize in advance to those of you who do not believe in Christmas or Santa i.e Jews, Muslims and people who dismiss any thing remotely pagan in nature)

There is no question that I believe our government has grown out of control. But to believe that those in Washington had anything at all to do with the events on September 11th is too much for me to handle, allow me to explain. There were simply too many incidents to believe that if it were an inside job, only a few people could have been involved. Many people would have needed to be in on this massive project. People from all levels of the Federal Government. Consider the issues on their agenda.

Conspire to allow an attack to happen on U.S. Soil, which would ultimately end the lives of hundreds to thousands or people.

They would be directing the destruction of Jet Liners and giant buildings

They would be allowing an attack on the Pentagon, the heart of our national defense.

If the buildings were brought down by explosive means, people would have needed to place how much explosive? You don't actually believe GW and Dick went to the World trade center and installed c4 themselves do you? think about this, the regular Joe's, involved in this. They would be setting explosives that would destroy and kill an unknown number of people.

The people involved with this would be on the same level as Hitler, Stalin and Mao. If our Government has reached this level of corruption, is there an end in sight? Does November 2nd mean anything? If they can plan 9-11 what makes us think our elections are even remotely honest anymore? Is there a way to take back our country without an armed uprising?

If they planned 9-11, what makes you think that Barack Obama was nothing short of the hand picked leader to take over the N.W.O?

If they planned 9-11, what makes you think that a single election in this country means anything?

If they planned 9-11, what makes anyone believe that our Republic can still be rescued?

If they planned 9-11, we might as well load our rifles and storm Washington. Is there any other way?

Really, is there?

This is why I must go to bed at night and hope and pray even, that Santa Claus still exists.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Illinois which has some of the highest entitlements in the Country continues to prove why these plans do work in the long term. Simply said, you cannot keep borrowing money to give away when there is no way in sight to repay those loans in the future, especially when Businesses are leaving and there is very little in the works to bring in new industry. The only way the state can raise it's revenue will be to raise taxes, unless it makes some hard decisions and begins to cut from it's budget.

Bloomberg News reports that Illinois is faring poorly when compared to some foreign governments not known for solid financial management. Not only is Illinois tied with California for the worst credit in the nation, but Bloomberg found that Illinois recently had to pay a higher interest rate to borrow money than Mexico, Portugal and Peru. In less than two years, Illinois's credit rating dropped eight times, and there warnings that the state could receive another drop soon.

"Moody’s Investors Service changed the outlook on the state’s credit rating to negative from stable, which may indicate a cut will be made in grades affecting $25 billion of A1 rated general-obligation bonds. Moody’s cited the state’s failure to take steps to correct a “structural budget imbalance” and pension finances."

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Our President has declared that there will be Hand to Hand combat if the GOP takes over after the 2010 November election. This sounds dangerous, there may be injuries. So we need some Corpse Men straight away because it looks like the GOP is probably going to kick the Democrat Party square in the face in November.

Seriously, we know President Obama doesn't know the difference between a Corpsman and Corpse Men so are we to believe he even knows what Hand to Hand combat means? Well he does have SEIU President Andy Stern to the White House on a regular basis so it's safe to assume he might know a thing or two about bare knuckle fighting. Could it really come to this?

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

When I first heard about the story of a Tennessee home burning down because they hadn't paid the $75 fee I thought for sure there must more to the story. I didn't bother looking into it until last night when I heard that the nimrod a.k.a Keith Olberman actually connected the event to the tea party. He said, "that this is what a tea party America will look like". Keith Olberman is actually suggesting that if you believe in TEA party principles you some how believe that a fire department should allow a home to burn down simply because a fee was not paid.

Now whether or not you believe in privatized public services or not I think you can agree that no one should allow a home to burn when you have the means to fight it. Like I assumed early on there is more to the story, the people who lived in this area previously did not have fire department service at all but the city fire department would provide service outside city limits for the 75 dollar fee. Again whether or not you believe in this system is a moot point. The real issues here are whether or not you believe that fire fighters with hoses should watch a home burn and whether or not this has any connection at all to the TEA party movement.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

These are my own personal endorsements for November 2010 and not official endorsements of the East Central IL TEA. We will be releasing the official results from our November 2010 Mock Ballot on 10-11-2010

A few Clarifications. The blanks are on purpose, I personally do not vote for unopposed positions or judges I know little or nothing about as a personal choice.

Judge, Appellate Court, Appellate District 4, Vacancy of the Hon. Robert W. Cook

Thomas R. Appleton, Republican Party

(Vote for 1)

Judge, Circuit Court, 5th Circuit, Vacancy of the Hon. Dale A. Cini

Matt Sullivan, Republican Party

(Vote for 1)

Judical Retention - Circuit Court

Millard S. Everhart

Gary W. Jacobs

Michael D. Clary

Teresa K. Righter

James R. Glenn

Claudia Anderson

(Vote Yes or No)

STATEWIDE PROPOSITION

YES

NO

Proposed Amendment To The 1970 Illinois Constitution: Explanation of AmendmentThe proposed amendment, which takes effect upon approval by the voters, adds a new section to the Suffrage and Elections Article of the Illinois Constitution. The new section would provide the State's electors with an option to petition for a special election to recall a Governor and for the special election of a successor Governor. At the general election to be held on November 2, 2010, you will be called upon to decide whether the proposed amendment should become part of the Illinois Constitution.

If you believe the Illinois Constitution should be amended to provide for a special election to recall a Governor and for a special election to elect a successor Governor, you should vote "YES" on the question. If you believe the IllinoisConstitution should not be amended to provide for a special election to recall a Governor and for a special election to elect a successor Governor, you should vote "NO" on the question. Three-fifths of those voting on the question or a majority of those voting in the election must vote "YES" in order for the amendment to become effective.

For the proposed addition of Section 7 to Article III of the Illinois Constitution.

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I'm an ex- Liberty Organizer who's been taking a break while still being concerned about the state of affairs in our society today. I've been less politically active in the last couple years taking care of my personal life but it may be time to get back on the horse...

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